Yes & I Love You is one of those books you put down at 10:30 p.m. and grab again within 15 minutes of opening your eyes the next morning.

It's a millennial romance that takes place in a co-working space in New Orleans between a woman who writes an entertainment review column and an improv performer/ office barista. Hollyn, the writer, has social anxiety and Tourette's and part of her MO in using the co-working space is to overcome that anxiety and start interacting with more.

Jasper, the improv guy, has been in that in-between space of trying on careers, but nothing quite sticks. But he knows he loves improv.

A tentative friendship turns into a practice dating arrangement turns into more than either of them planned on. Yes & I Love You normalizes neurodivergence, handling it forthrightly as Hollyn works through her anxiety,

It's sensitive, swoony, and sexy -- everything I've come to l0ve in a Roni Loren story.

I was surprised by how much I liked this new release, and I think you will be too!
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SUMMARY: Despite dealing with severe anxiety and facial tics stemming from Tourette’s Syndrome, Hollyn is working hard to build a happy life. She loves her job as a freelance writer, but now her boss wants her to become the on-camera face of New Orleans entertainment journalism! Will her hot new friend—who’s well-versed in improv—help build her confidence both on and off camera?
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I loved this atypical heroine who had a lot to deal with but still had a really positive attitude! I was rooting for her throughout and loved how willing she was to take risks in pursuit of happiness. Including engaging in a classic fake relationship!
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So often in Romance, the drama arises from some miscommunication—intentional or otherwise. It was refreshing that this was not the case here. It was just two people with feelings for one another who also had their individual crap to work through—just like real life!
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I’d recommend this book if you’re a fan of:
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❤️ Inclusive storytelling
❤️ Young adults figuring out life
❤️ Fake dating/instructive relationship
❤️ Stories set in cities other than NYC
❤️ Improv
❤️ 🔥🔥🔥

This novel was pure slow-burn goodness! Okay, it may not have been that pure, but you know what I mean. In my opinion, there’s nothing better than a novel that builds a reader’s anticipation. If you’re a patient reader, you’ll love Yes & I Love You. If patience is not your forte, trust me, keep reading it, you’ll fall in love with this book, too.

It was easy to let myself get wrapped up in this story. The characters were interesting and likable. They had challenges that I haven’t read about in fiction before, so it felt fresh and new to me, and I was all in. I read fiction to escape real life, but I still want the characters in the books that I read to be as realistic as possible, complete with flaws, insecurities, and issues.

Hollyn and Jasper were opposites in every sense of the word. Where Hollyn was introverted, shy, and unsure of herself around strangers, Jasper was extroverted, friendly, flirtatious, energetic, and unfiltered. While Hollyn had to work hard to put herself out there, Jasper was already there waiting in the wings. Hollyn felt more at ease just blending in on the sidelines, living a quiet, subdued life. Jasper, on the other hand, thrived off of attention. The one thing that they did have in common was that they both needed a bit of help with their careers, and they realized that they might be able to scratch each other’s backs and provide that boost that they each needed.

Hollyn and Jasper had great chemistry, banter, and a good rapport that I was immediately connected to. But what I enjoyed the most was that the author didn’t just give her readers an easy, smooth story. Despite Jasper’s charm and good intentions, he didn’t always make the best decisions and I was often finding myself incensed on Hollyn’s behalf, but for me, that‘s half the fun. If my feelings get ravaged by the characters’ actions, I’m always ready. Bring it on.

Yes & I Love You has a good story, depth, intriguing characters, plenty of romance, and a generous serving of angst. I felt on edge with the relationship that was transpiring. I never really knew how it would all go. The author dished out situations that made my heart pound, my stomach flutter, and kept my nerves and anticipation on high alert. I was in my happy place.

Before I was even finished reading Yes & I Love You, I was already adding the next book in this series to my to-be-read list.

*4.5 Stars

Thanks to Sourcebooks Casablance for an advanced copy of Yes & I Love You.

This was a wonderful book! I loved the characters, the story and so much about Yes & I Love You! It was fun, it made me laugh and a few great steamy scenes. What else do you want in a book?

We meet Hollyn, who writes a popular Arts & Entertainment column/blog and has forced herself to work out of a shared office space WorkAround to get out to the house and work though her social anxiety due to Tourette's. When her column boss wants her to start vlogging she's ready to quit until Jasper, the new coffee guy at work convinces her that she can do it. Jasper is in a popular improv troup and dreams of opening his own theatre.

I loved how real these characters were. Hollyn works with her therapist to help give her the tools she needs and you see her grow as she gains confidence from the friendships she's forming. The improv practice scenes were fun. The only thing I didn't love was the love triangle aspect with her best friend, but I liked how Hollyn learned about herself through it.

First off, I’ve never read a book with a MC struggling with Tourette’s and I loooooved this one. I love that the author showed the MC overcoming her fears, but she also had people in her life who normalized the issue and didn’t treat her differently for it and easily looked past it. Kudos to Roni Loren for addressing this!

Also that MC! Such a brave woman overcoming fears and choosing to be honest even when it was scary. Loooooved her.

The romance was a little more steamy than I enjoy, but the grand gesture was perrrfect. The storyline also went in a different direction than I first thought it would, which I enjoyed as well.

Overall, loved this one. Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for giving me the opportunity to read this.

Roni Loren’s Yes & I Love You is such a brilliant surprise of a novel. It’s a romance with steam, with heart, and with some brilliant characters—I couldn’t put it down.

Hollyn forces herself to go to the office every day. She makes her way through the crowded main floor, grits her teeth through her daily coffee order, and then flees to her office, where she stays in safety until it’s time to go home. Her therapist insists that it’s important for Hollyn to be around people, to work through the social anxiety that has plagued her since she was small, when she was the subject of bullying because of her Tourette’s syndrome.

Generally, she’s able to abide by the letter of her therapist’s advice without actually diving into the spirit of it: she doesn’t really interact with anyone. Instead, she dedicates herself to her written persona, Miz Poppy, a vibrant—and hilarious—entertainment critic whose witticisms shine as long as Hollyn can write them. Until Jasper.

Jasper has returned to New Orleans after a failure in Hollywood. He and his improv partner (and girlfriend) took their shot. She rose to success. He did not. So, he’s back in New Orleans in the hopes that the improv group he abandoned on the cusp of their big break will take him back.

These descriptions cover only the most surface elements of Hollyn and Jasper because Loren here has created real, nuanced individuals who change through the narrative as their growing relationship pushes each of them. There are new friends and some fake dating, steamy sex and sweet conversations, uncomfortable moments and times that each shines. As they reveal their full histories to each other, they also learn to work through their insecurities and to support the other through the worst of theirs.

As soon as I finished the book, I messaged my buddy read group and then checked out Roni Loren’s backlist. Yes & I Love You will not be my last book by this author!

I had no idea what to expect from this ARC, I had honestly asked for a copy based on the cover and the Colleen Hoover endorsement. What an absolute pleasant surprise.

Hollyn Tate is an anonymous entertainment reviewer in New Orleans she suffers from Tourettes and is working on expanding her life outside the confines of her home. In comes Jasper Deares, confident, improv actor, down on his luck. In an effort to help each other these two form a mutually beneficial fake relationship, what could possibly go wrong?

The neurodiversity representation is so great in this book, Hollyn despite her anxiety that is a side effect of her disorder is pushing all her boundaries to break down her barriers. She is represented as tough and smart with a wicked sense of humour.

The fake relationship trope is so well done here, Jasper is exactly what Hollyn needs to get over a few of her hang ups and the chemistry between them is sizzling hot. Be warned this one was steamy.

The relationship was so equal and accepting, neither took the other for granted and they both took each other’s shortcomings as positives. They both make mistakes along the way and there were a few times I wanted to shake Jasper by the shoulders, but it all added that bit of drama to keep me invested and turning the pages.

As steamy as this love story’s is, there is also great friendships, a lot of positive narratives around anxiety and neurological disorders, and lots of laughs and well executed humour.

This book comes out March 1st and I am already itching to have a physical copy. Oh and this is going to be a series with book two featuring another one of the amazing characters in this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Source Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Miz Poppy reviews the New Orleans nightlife online but who she is in real life is a secret. Hollyn has every intention of keeping it this way but when her boss asks her to expand to doing videos on her blog to keep up with the times, she knows she's in trouble. When aspiring actor Jasper, who works in the same building as Hollyn, offers to give her private lessons to help her get comfortable in front of the camera, Hollyn decides to bite the bullet and go for it.

What the synopsis doesn't tell you is that Hollyn has Tourette's Syndrome hence her uncomfortableness to be on video. This was a really sweet story with some funny moments thrown in too.

After a heavy dose of historical fiction and psychological thrillers, it was time to switch to something much lighter. Happily, I selected Yes & I Love You.

This is a sweet book with humor and warmth and lots of charming and witty banter. There is enough steaminess to be a warning for younger readers or if you don’t wish to read anything explicit.

Fans of rom-com novels should love this book and if you are not a normal reader of the genre, this might be a perfect book to read when you need a break from heavier books.

I'm all about different (underrepresented and marginalized) representation in books, and this one was a huge, fantastic surprise! I went in without knowing anything about it, and was overwhelmed by my positive feelings in every chapter.

4.5 rounding up!

The Tourette's and ADHD rep was really great in Yes & I Love You by Roni Loren, and handled in such an empowering way. (I have no personal experience with either, but it felt enlightening, vulnerable, and honest.) There was also a diverse cast of characters, which is always a plus.

I love the journey of self-realization and growth away from fear for each of the main characters. This was tender, compelling, sweet, emotional, funny, and refreshing. All the wonderful things! Add it to your must-reads! I can't wait to read the next in Loren's series.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Casa and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I really loved the representation in this book, from the heroine, Hollyn, who has Tourette’s to improv theater actor Jasper, who has struggled his whole life with ADHD. It felt truthful and authentic to me through let me make it clear, I have no personal experience with either Tourette’s or ADHD. I liked the tenderness and sweetness and the way Jasper encouraged Hollyn to see herself in a new light, made her feel like she was a total badass who could fight for the things she wanted. I adored the side characters and would love to see them all featured in their own books, especially Cal. I would love to see him get his own happily ever after. All in all, I really did enjoy this book and look forward to the next one in the series. It’s a real departure from what this author usually writes but I really liked it.

This was AMAZING. It's a Must read. Roni Loren really knows how to grip attention with her stories.
Hollyn suffers from Tourette, because of that, she has been pretty much an outcast all her life. Comes in Jasper, broke, an improv actor and working in the coffee shop. Their first interaction is a disaster. It's a very slow burn at the beginning between them. And the more they get to know each other better, the more steamy it gets. This is also an emotional read, have some tissue ready. Great characters development. I can't wait now to read about Andi story.
10/10 for emotions. 10/10 for steaminess. 10/10 great story.

I voluntarily reviewed this ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley. The opinions expressed here are all mine.

This book was so good. I think part of the reason it was so good is that I went in with no expectations. A number of people said "Oh, Roni Loren is so amazing you have to read this," but then I never recall reading the blurb? So I knew very little about the plot going in. And I was blown away.

Hollyn, our heroine has Tourette's, which in her case means she has facial tics. She's trying to branch out by using co-working office and moving into the city of New Orleans, but still avoids small talk like the plague. Of course, that's before she accidentally insults the hot new coffee guy at work, Jasper. And Jasper accidentally insults her at his improv show. Soon, the two develop a friendship...and something more. But can it be more?

I love this book so much. I loved seeing the representation of a heroine with Tourette's (I had no idea it could represent as facial tics--the more you know! And why representation is important). The book was steamier than expected (in a good way). The main characters (Hollyn and Jasper) were extremely likable. The inclusion of improv (Jasper's passion) and how it helped Hollyn come out of her shell was unique and fun. I can't recommend this book enough.

At first I was a little bit confused by the title, but I think it's an improv reference--always saying "Yes &." building off the person before you. I wish it had been said at some point in the book though to make this clearer.

Thank you to SourcebooksCasa and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review!

5 stars - 10/10

Yes & I Love You is the first book in Roni Loren's Say Everything duo. I've enjoyed all of the books I've read by Loren and this one was no exception. It was refreshing to have main characters that had struggles they had to work through on a daily basis, not just a flash in the pan "issue" to deal with and then it's gone. I really appreciated the way the main characters were written.

Hollyn Tate is the writer of the very popular Miz Poppy review blog. She has lived with Tourette's all of her life which has also led her to develop social anxiety. She's working through her fears by seeing a therapist and purposely having an office outside of her home in order to interact with others. While these are steps in the right direction, speaking to new people still freaks her the heck out.

Jasper Deares is an aspiring actor who specializes in improv. He has ADHD and while he has aspirations of owning his own theater, he currently is a barista inside a bustling office building. He didn't have the easiest childhood therefore making connections isn't always easy for him, but when he meets Hollyn, he feels like there could be a connection there, but he's not sure she even likes him as a human!

Hollyn's boss wants her to take her blog to the next level by beginning to utilize video. For someone like Hollyn, having to put herself on video is her worst nightmare coming true. With her Tourette's, the last thing she wants is videos full of her tics. Knowing she needs help and having formed a tentative friendship with Jasper, she reveals to him that she is Miz Poppy and asks him to give her some training in order to be able to follow through with the videos, otherwise, she's going to lose her job. He agrees in exchange for her writing a review of his improv group.

Will Hollyn and Jasper be able to stop the feelings that are starting to grow between them as they spend more time together? Or will they decide to give their relationship a real shot?

As I mentioned at the start, I really appreciated these characters and the way the story unfolded. It was nice to see characters with diversity and the story was handled beautifully. It did take me a bit to get into the story, but once I did, I was all in. I hope you take the time to pick this one up - it's worth it!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

After sitting with the book after finishing a few days ago I realized I liked it more than I thought I did, even while reading it. When I read the improv scenes I wasn't particularly interested nor was I interested in Hollyn continually beating herself up over her tics and what she assumes people think about them/her. It's hard to get over being bullied as a kid. Adult Hollyn seemed to have a good support system in place and I loved seeing her find her confidence and not only go after what she wanted but to also be ready for it to fall apart. Jasper seemed like a nice enough guy but not quite swoon-worthy for me but I loved to see him love Hollyn.

It is slow moving in the beginning but the story really picks up when Hollyn and Jasper start their "arrangement". From there it not only gets very steamy but it becomes obvious that their arrangement is just a relationship. I have mixed feelings on how both of their pasts came back in such big ways to threaten what they have together but, more than that, I didn't like how quickly those conflicts resolved. I liked both characters realizing that they deserve to have the things they want and the things they want are allowed to change. You don't have to want what you've always wanted even when that carrot is dangled in front of you. You can want new things for yourself, for the people around you, and you can be the kind of person you want to be with some effort.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I haven’t read a full book by Roni Loren before (I did attempt and subsequently put down The Ones Who Got Away, finding it conceptually interesting, but the romance uncompelling), but this one, with a blogger heroine with anxiety?! It’s like it spoke directly to me.

And while Hollyn’s story differs from mine in that she has Tourette’s, I could empathize with her anxiety dealing with the public and recalled my own terror dealing with public speaking when I read about her struggle with it when she’s presented with a new task to add video to her blogs.

Jasper is a lovely hero, flawed without being overblown. He too deals with a disability, in this case ADHD. It’s nice to read about a couple who both face challenges and the story shows them dealing with them without it feeling like they’re using it as a crutch.

Their relationship is so lovely. They have great chemistry immediately, and there’s great push-and-pull, with them not wanting to admit their feelings for one another.

This is such a compelling, emotional book that left me feeling all the feels. If you’re in the mood for an emotional, let still fairly lighthearted contemporary romance, I think you’ll like this one.

I LOVED this book! Yes & i love you is going to be the rom-com of Spring! This is my first Roni Loren novel, and I am so excited for the second book in this series! Yes & i love you boasts relateable characters, witty banter, and steamy scenes that are classy and not over the top. To be honest I am quite picky about my rom-com selections, so when this came up as a buddy read for our ARC group, I was skeptical. I am so happy that I picked this book up, I absolutely loved it.

I love that I found myself reading about realistic characters. I love that Yes & i love you brings out the beauty of what we as humans consider "flaws". Roni writes lyrically and beautifully about tourette's syndrome, and as someone who is related to someone with tourette's I found it very important. Hollyn is a character that is relatable in more ways then one. From her Blog, to her struggle with being accepted and not just being stared at because of her disorder. I love the fact that Jasper wasn't some rich powerful macho man, that he was a realistic human who is also flawed with his abandonment issues. Their storyline is realistic, and well written. I could definitley envision a real couple like this walking the streets on NOLA.

Overall I found myself enthralled with Hollyn and Jasper's story, and the ending was well done. It left me happy and satisfied!

Thank you so much to Roni Loren, Netgalley, and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read this book. First of all, I've never met a Roni Loren book I didn't like. While I still enjoyed this title, it fell a little flat for me. I loved the characters, but something about Jasper working in improv and making a living off of it felt a little too weird and not believable to me. Hollyn seemed very quick to be able to conquer her fears -- but again -- it just felt a little too easy and not believable to me. All of that is not to say I didn't enjoy, because I was able to still enjoy the wonderful story and great characters, but it did tend to take me out of the story a bit. I am looking very much forward to Andi's story next! And I'm hoping we can get a Cal book as well. I will definitely be picking up the future titles!

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for an advanced copy in return for my honest review.
Miz Poppy is a movie and entertainment reviewer in New Orleans known for her fun newspaper and blog reviews. Hollyn, the author behind Miz Poppy, enjoys her anonymity when she is out and about reviewing shows, as it allows her to hide her facial tics. When her boss wants her to transition to a video role, Jasper, the new coffee guy at work with an improv group, offers to give her lessons to become more comfortable on screen/stage. A sweet story follows that includes self-growth for both characters.
I really enjoyed this sweet romance story - a fun pick to read over Valentine's weekend. The characters were well developed and the story flowed nicely. Plus the sex scenes were quite steamy - and natural - which was even enjoyable! This comes out March 2nd and I highly recommend for anyone who wants to escape into a unique and fun love story.

Holy improv and steamy goodness!

This is officially one of my favourite books of the year, I loved it deeply and need to go and pre-order right this minute!

The characters...my oh my, some of my favourites. Hollyn is the main character in this book and she has Tourette's and throughout the book, it shows Hollyn and how she overcomes her tics and how she doesn't let that stop her from being confident, trying new things, and one of the people that show her how to live life to the fullest is Jasper, the Coffee Guy. And Jasper is such a sweet and lovable character, I think I found everyone's new book boyfriend!

I want to dedicate a paragraph to the steamy scenes because this is some of the best and most natural sex scenes I've witnessed, and being a romance reader, you can imagine how much I come across! So when I say this had chemistry filled, natural steamy scenes, I mean it! I loved those scenes (I'm an open door kinda gal) and Roni Loren found the perfect way of keeping the chemistry so alive before, throughout and after those scenes. It was impeccably done. Think The Roommate and The Kiss Quotient and you'll catch my drift.

Also, fake dating trope? Who doesn't love those?! I know I did. And also love triangle at one point so you guys are in for a real treat!

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the earc in return for an honest review.